Komets Legend Guy Dupuis Retiring

By
Eric Clabaugh
By
Scott Sarvay

May 24, 2011Updated May 25, 2011 at 12:02 AM EDT

Fort Wayne, In (Indiana's NewsCenter)-His name is one of just a few, that when you say it, it's synonymous with the Fort Wayne Komets. Tuesday afternoon, Guy Dupuis shocked the Komet nation, by saying this is it. Dupuis is retiring after 21-years of playing professional hockey, most of which was right here in Fort Wayne.

The Komets announced Tuesday that veteran defenseman Guy Dupuis is retiring from professional hockey after a career spanning 21 years.

Dupuis, 41, began his career in 1990 appearing in two seasons with Adirondack of the AHL after being selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft. Dupuis made his Fort Wayne debut during the 1991-92 season skating 10 games with the Komets. Dupuis also appeared that season with Adirondack participating in 49 AHL games and three playoff games.

Dupuis began a string of seven straight seasons with the Komets in 1992-93 and capped the season with an IHL Turner Cup Championship. After a six-year swing of various stints with other teams in the AHL, IHL, UHL, WCHL, ECHL and a two-year tour of Germany elite hockey, the Moncton, New Brunswick native returned to Fort Wayne to complete his career skating an additional six campaigns collecting three additional IHL championships, all as captain of the Komets. Dupuis also became one of only 15 players to have won four Turner Cup championships. "Guy is and always will be a special part of Komet hockey," Komet president Michael Franke said. "It goes beyond playing the game. Guy Dupuis did it all on and off the ice. His on-ice accomplishments will never be duplicated."

In addition to four championships during his Fort Wayne career and several All-Star appearances, the defenseman also captured the league Defenseman of the Year Award on three occasions, was an eight-time Komet Defenseman of the Year and seven-time recipient of the Komets' Plus/Minus Award. "I will cherish forever my memories of the victories and championships I experienced with my teammates, the organization and the community," Dupuis said. "There is a part of me that will always miss the game, our dedicated fans and the excitement that was Komet Hockey. At this point in my life it is just the best decision for my family that I retire from pro hockey."

Always active in the community, Dupuis was twice honored with Fort Wayne’s Bud Gallmeier Memorial Trophy for Community Service and is a two-time winner of the Komets' True Komet Award.

Dupuis broke many Komet franchise records during his 14-year Fort Wayne career. Among the records now owned by Dupuis are most career games played (945), most playoff career games played (95), most games played overall including regular season and playoffs (1,040), most goals by a Komet defenseman (126), most assists by a Komet defenseman (417), most points by a Komet defenseman (543), most playoff goals by a Komet defenseman (14), most overall goals by a defenseman including regular season and playoffs (140), most overall assists by a Komet defenseman including regular season and playoffs (454) and most overall points including regular season and playoffs by a Komet defenseman (594).

"Guy is a class act; first on the ice and last off. Every day of his career he worked at his game in practice and his work ethic was second to none," Komet head coach Al Sims said. "His determination and heart carried him to a long career. His records will go down in Komet history and may never be broken."

Guy Dupuis career stats

#2 to be retired on Guy Dupuis Night – The Komets also announced Tuesday that Guy Dupuis will be honored during a number retirement ceremony prior to the the Komets’ second home game of the 2011-12 season. Dupuis' jersey number 2 will be retired from Komet service, becoming the 13th number retired in Fort Wayne history.

“Guy’s retirement ends the active player connection we’ve had since our second year of ownership in 1991-92,” Komet general manager David Franke said. “Guy was the last Komet player connected with the 1993 IHL Turner Cup championship team. Guy is an amazing person and an amazing athlete. He is a true Komet legend, what a warrior he was. It won’t be the same not seeing Guy on the ice in his #2 jersey.”

60th Anniversary Season – The Komets also unveil their new 60th anniversary logo with this release as the Fort Wayne franchise enters it’s 60th consecutive season of professional hockey in Fort Wayne with the 2011-12 campaign. The Komets were first introduced to the northeast Indiana area in October of 1952 as a member of the International Hockey League. Currently in it’s seventh decade, the proud Fort Wayne franchise has captured 12 regular season titles and eight league championships while becoming one of the highest attended minor league hockey franchises in the world.

The special logo commemorating the 60th season of Komet Hockey was designed by the Komets’ agency of record, Smartguys Advertising. In the 60th logo design there is a reference to the past in the inclusion of the captain Komet traditional logo along with today’s current familiar Komet fireball logo.

Many 60th anniversary events and promotions are planned for the upcoming season including one of the largest assemblies of Komet oldtimers and legends presented on opening night in an unforgettable way. There will be recognition of past Komets throughout the season with special ceremonies, autograph sessions and presentations planned. The Komet Hall of Fame will also see new members inducted along with exciting new endeavors both live and on the coliseum video board during the season. Also, fans should watch out in particular for the return of Captain Komet.

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